Church - Black Wedding

PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says it is "unfortunate" that a predominantly white church in the state wouldn't allow a black couple to get married in its sanctuary.

Bryant said Mississippi should encourage the union of any couple — as long as the couple is made up of a man and a woman.

Charles and Te'Andrea Wilson say they weren't allowed to marry in July at First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs, a small town south of Jackson. The church's pastor married the couple at a nearby predominantly black church. The wedding was moved after some congregants at First Baptist told the pastor they opposed allowing black people to marry in the church.

Gov. Bryant says it's very disappointing the incident happened because Mississippi has changed. But he says it "tainted" the state's image nationwide.